The Icon’s Warm Bread demonstrates three important aspects of Greek cultural life and religion. First the tale shows the aspects of Greek family tradition. Also, it shows some very relevant religious practices and beliefs.. Finally, it highlights certain social values relating to how people are expected to treat each other. In the story the villagers take the recently orphaned children to their uncle, for he was their only living relative. This was the custom: to take the orphans to the closest living relative. Today, oftentimes if the parents don’t leave a will for whatever reason, the same will happen to the children. Later in the story, after the orphans had been disowned by their uncle, they find an open church. Upon entering, they see the icon of St. Nicholas which soon begins to talk to them. This icon is a very important part of the Greek Orthodox Church. These icons are essential to the worship service, and they help people in that denomination pray to specific Saints and Angels and God himself. The icon of St. Nicholas directs the children to the house of a old women who cares for them. Also, after the old woman cares for the children, they care for her when she is too old and cannot care for herself. This shows that in the Greek culture, those who gave help will receive help in return. Even today, in our modern culture, this aspect of the Greek society is relevant, as many American families care for their elderly. Overall, this tale shows sacred and caretaking aspects of the Greek culture.
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